7 types of dog groups exist within the internationally recognized kennel club systems, forming a framework that helps us understand the vast and varied world of canines. At Pet Breeding Club, we believe that understanding a dog’s heritage is the key to a happy relationship. Before a dog was a pet, it was a worker, a hunter, or a guardian. These ancestral jobs have shaped their personalities, energy levels, and instincts.
Whether you are a breeder looking to diversify your program or a family searching for the perfect puppy, navigating the 7 types of dog groups is your first step toward success. This guide breaks down each category, explaining the history, common traits, and care requirements that define them.
Why Categorization Matters
When we talk about the 7 types of dog groups, we are not just organizing a list for a dog show. We are categorizing genetics. A Border Collie behaves differently from a Bulldog not just because of how it was raised, but because of centuries of selective breeding.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) established these groups to organize breeds based on the function they were originally bred to perform. By understanding which of the 7 types of dog categories your prospective pet falls into, you can predict their behavior, exercise needs, and potential health issues with surprising accuracy.
1. The Sporting Group
The first of the 7 types of dog groups is the Sporting Group. These are the energetic, alert, and likable companions that were bred to assist hunters in capturing feathered game.
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The Job: Their primary role was to locate, flush, and retrieve birds (waterfowl or upland game birds).
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The Breeds: This group includes Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels. Famous examples are the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
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Personality: These dogs are generally high-energy and very people-oriented. They are known for their “soft mouths,” meaning they can carry a bird without damaging it. This trait often translates to a love for carrying toys around the house.
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Lifestyle Fit: Because they were bred to work closely with humans in the field, they make excellent family pets but require vigorous daily exercise. They are not couch potatoes. Without a job or a long game of fetch, they can become destructive.
2. The Hound Group
The second category among the 7 types of dog groups is the Hound Group. This is perhaps the most diverse group in terms of size, ranging from the tiny Miniature Dachshund to the towering Irish Wolfhound.
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The Job: Hounds are hunters, but they hunt differently than the Sporting group. They are divided into two sub-types: Scent Hounds (who use their nose) and Sight Hounds (who use their eyes and speed).
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The Breeds: Beagles, Bloodhounds, Greyhounds, and Basenjis all find a home here.
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Personality: Hounds are known for being independent and sometimes stubborn. A scent hound like a Beagle might ignore your command to “come” if they catch an interesting smell. Sight hounds have an intense “prey drive” and will chase anything that moves.
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The “Bay”: Many scenthounds have a unique bark called a “bay,” which is deep and booming.
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Lifestyle Fit: These dogs require patience. They are affectionate but independent thinkers. Of all the 7 types of dog groups, this one requires the most secure fencing, as they will wander off following a scent or a squirrel.
3. The Working Group
The Working Group represents the heavy lifters of the 7 types of dog classifications. These dogs were bred to perform specific jobs that required immense strength and intelligence.
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The Job: Guarding property, pulling sleds, and performing water rescues.
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The Breeds: This powerful list includes the Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Siberian Husky, and Saint Bernard.
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Personality: These dogs are intelligent, strong, and watchful. They are naturally protective of their families. Because they were bred to think independently to protect flocks or property, they can be dominant if not given clear leadership.
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Lifestyle Fit: They are not for novice owners. Their sheer size and strength require an owner committed to socialization and obedience training. Within the 7 types of dog groups, these are the ones that most frequently require a “job” to do to feel fulfilled.
4. The Terrier Group
If the Working group is defined by strength, the Terrier group is defined by “heart.” The fourth of the 7 types of dog groups consists of feisty, energetic dogs that have little tolerance for other animals they perceive as prey.
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The Job: They were bred to hunt vermin. They would dig into the earth (terra) to route out rats, badgers, and foxes.
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The Breeds: Jack Russell Terrier, Bull Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and the Airedale Terrier.
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Personality: Terriers are tenacious. They do not give up. They have high energy and a very high prey drive. They are often described as having a “big dog personality in a small body.” They can be argumentative with other dogs.
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Lifestyle Fit: They make engaging, fun pets but require an owner with a sense of humor and a lot of patience. Their digging instinct is strong, so gardeners beware! Among the 7 types of dog groups, Terriers are often the most challenging to train because they are easily distracted and independent.
5. The Toy Group
The Toy Group is exactly what it sounds like: small dogs bred primarily for companionship. However, do not let their size fool you; many are tough as nails.
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The Job: To warm laps, provide company, and sometimes, to act as alarm systems.
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The Breeds: Chihuahua, Pug, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Yorkshire Terrier.
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Personality: They are affectionate, social, and adaptable. While some can be “yappy,” they are generally fiercely loyal to their owners. Interestingly, some Toy breeds are just downsized versions of other 7 types of dog groups (like the Toy Poodle or the Miniature Pinscher), so they retain some working instincts.
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Lifestyle Fit: These are the best dogs for apartment living and city dwellers. They require less exercise than the other groups, though they still need walks. They are fragile, however, and may not be suitable for homes with very rough, young children.
6. The Non-Sporting Group
This is the “melting pot” of the AKC system. When discussing the 7 types of dog groups, the Non-Sporting Group is the most difficult to define because it consists of breeds that simply don’t fit anywhere else.
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The Job: Varied. Some were circus dogs, some were companions to royalty, and some were ratters.
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The Breeds: Dalmatian, French Bulldog, Poodle (Standard and Miniature), Chow Chow, and Boston Terrier.
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Personality: Because the backgrounds are so diverse, the personalities vary wildly. The Poodle is highly intelligent and active; the Bulldog is laid back and stubborn; the Chow Chow is aloof and cat-like.
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Lifestyle Fit: You must research the specific breed within this group. You cannot generalize. This diversity makes the Non-Sporting group one of the most fascinating of the 7 types of dog categories to explore, as you will find a dog for almost any personality type here.
7. The Herding Group
The final addition to the 7 types of dog groups is the Herding Group. Until 1983, these dogs were part of the Working Group, but their specific skill set earned them their own category.
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The Job: To move livestock (sheep, cattle, reindeer) from one place to another using complex movements and barking.
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The Breeds: Border Collie, German Shepherd, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Australian Shepherd.
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Personality: These are arguably the smartest dogs in the world. They are workaholics. They are intensely loyal and responsive to commands. However, their herding instinct is so strong that they may try to “herd” children, cars, or other pets by nipping at their heels.
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Lifestyle Fit: They need massive amounts of mental and physical stimulation. A bored Herding dog is a destructive dog. They excel at dog sports like agility and obedience.
The “Miscellaneous” Class
While we focus on the 7 types of dog groups, it is worth noting that the AKC has a “waiting room” called the Miscellaneous Class. These are breeds that are being developed and tracked but are not yet fully recognized in one of the seven main groups. Once they have enough pedigree documentation and national interest, they graduate into one of the official groups.
Using the Groups to Choose Your Dog
At Pet Breeding Club, we often see owners choose a dog based on looks rather than lifestyle. This is a mistake. By utilizing the framework of the 7 types of dog groups, you can save yourself heartache.
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For the Jogger: Look to the Sporting or Herding groups.
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For the Apartment Dweller: Look to the Toy or Non-Sporting groups.
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For the Security Conscious: Look to the Working group.
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For the Patient Trainer: Look to the Hound or Terrier groups.
Training Across the Groups
Understanding which of the 7 types of dog groups your pet belongs to changes how you train them.
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Herding dogs respond to motion and complex verbal commands.
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Terriers respond to making the training feel like a game or a hunt.
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Hounds respond to food rewards (scent hounds) or lures (sight hounds).
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Working dogs respond to fairness, consistency, and a clear hierarchy.
If you try to train a Beagle the same way you train a German Shepherd, you will likely fail. The Beagle is driven by his nose, the Shepherd by his desire to work for you. Acknowledging the genetic differences inherent in the 7 types of dog groups allows you to tailor your communication style to the dog’s natural instincts.
Health and Genetics
Each group also carries specific health tendencies.
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Toy breeds often struggle with dental issues and collapsing tracheas.
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Working breeds (especially the large ones) are prone to hip dysplasia and bloat.
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Non-Sporting breeds like the Bulldog struggle with respiratory issues.
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Sporting breeds can be prone to joint injuries from high activity.
When buying from a breeder, knowing the general health risks associated with the 7 types of dog groups helps you ask the right questions about health testing and parental history.
Conclusion
The world of dogs is vast, beautiful, and complex. From the stoic Chow Chow to the exuberant Golden Retriever, there is a perfect companion for everyone. However, finding that match requires looking beyond the cute face and understanding the history beneath the fur.
The AKC’s system of the 7 types of dog groups is more than just a list; it is a cheat sheet for understanding canine behavior. By respecting the genetic heritage of these groups, we can provide better care, better training, and a better life for our four-legged friends. At Pet Breeding Club, we encourage you to use this knowledge to make an informed choice, ensuring that the dog you bring home is the right fit for your pack.
Sources
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American Kennel Club (AKC): Dog Breeds and Groups.
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The Westminster Kennel Club: Breed Categorization and Judging Criteria.
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Psychology Today: Canine Intelligence and Breed Groups.
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Animal Planet: Dogs 101: Breed Groups.
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Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Differences in behavior among dog breed groups.
